The European Commission has proposed the creation of a European platform to prevent and deter undeclared work more effectively. The platform would bring together various national enforcement bodies involved in the fight against undeclared work, a phenomenon that causes serious damage to working conditions, fair competition and public budgets.

Malta has the fourth largest proportion of undeclared work in the EU, according to a 2013 Eurobarometer. The highest ranked were Greece (30%), the Netherlands (29%), Latvia (28%), Denmark and Malta (23% in each).

“Undeclared work deprives workers of social protection, puts their health and safety at risk and lowers labour standards. It also undermines fair competition for businesses and endangers the sustainability of public finances and social security systems. In the end, everybody loses. This is why the Commission is fully committed to support member states in tackling this scourge, so we can protect workers, level the playing field for companies and safeguard fiscal revenue,” EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion László Andor commented.

The platform would fill a vacuum at the EU level, where until now undeclared work is discussed sporadically and in an uncoordinated way in different committees and working groups. It would allow for more effective cooperation between those who deal with undeclared work on the ground every day.

Undeclared work is defined as any paid activities that are lawful as regards their nature but are not declared to public authorities, taking into account differences in the regulatory systems in member states.

According to the Eurobarometer survey, around one in 10 Europeans (11%) admitted to have bought goods or services involving undeclared work in the previous year, while four per cent conceded that they had performed undeclared work.

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